The Triad School District is will be experiencing some cost savings thanks to the work and wit of individuals in the maintenance department.
This board of education approved the purchase of chillers for the middle and high school through the National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance at a state minimum price of $162,430 for the two units.
While the price for air-cooled climate control devices is substantial,
District treasurer Connie Cohn said Thursday night that the price tag could have been much higher. Cohn said district personnel learned that the cost for the chiller units is set to increase dramatically at the first of the year.
This lead the district to get quotes on the units to get the best price, but the real savings can be attributed to elbow grease within the maintenance.
In 2015 the district purchased a similar chiller unit to replace one at the elementary building at a cost of $69,000. Cohn said district maintenance employees took on the task of installing the new unit, saving greatly on the price.
While some costs for equipment rental, such as cranes, were still necessary, the district saved greatly on the cost of manpower. When asked by the board that typical installation costs are for a chiller, Cohn reported that they could be as much as twice the cost of the unit itself.
Board president Chris Millice said the maintenance staff are to be commended for their willingness to put in extra work to save the district money.
Cohn also brought to the board a corrective measure centering on the district’s upcoming renewal attempt for a five-year, .5-percent income tax levy.
In approving the language for the levy at a previous meeting, the board stipulated that the levy would begin being collected in 2020. Cohn said that she made a mistake and the levy, if approved, would begin collection in 2021.
Cohn explained that the issue was originally passed in 2009 for taxes collected in 2011-2015. When it was renewed in 2013, the years of collection were for 2016-2020.
This means the appropriate ballot language should indicate that the collection years, if approved, are for 2021-2025. The board unanimously approved the amended resolution so that it could be forwarded to the board of election offices for the three counties which contain voters for the district.
In other business,
-Heard an update from Elementary principal Lee Claypool on her project to find grant money to help with updating the building’s playground equipment. She said she has found few grant sources available and the upgrade process could be a long one as her budget does not have $45,000 needed for the equipment.
-Approved a resolution to update the Ohio Hi-Point Joint Vocational School District plan for appointing board members. It was reported that though there were changes among the educational service centers serving the facility, little net change will occur with how board members are appointed.
-Heard a brief update from superintendent Vickie Hoffman about the recently released school report cards from the state board of education. Hoffman said she would have a detailed report at the October board meeting, but noted that Triad improved scores in 12 of the 22 indicators on the report card.
-Extended the contract with the Mechanicsburg School District to use its transportation supervisor’s services at Triad for the remainder of the school year.
-Held an executive session to discuss personnel matters.